Implant removal aid for use with implants utilizing a data carrier

• US 9,072,560 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Doherty, Michael Casey
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESAI, KAUSHIKKUMAR A
• Application Number:
  US13/271,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20130092564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 206/339, 206/368, 206/369, 206/370, 206/438, 206/459.1, 206/459.5, 206562-564, 235/385, 439/180, 606/302
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/865 Packages or dispensers for bone screws or threaded wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A storage system for packaging and storing medical devices with associated data carriers, or tags that can be used for tracking inventory levels and uses of an implant. The storage system includes at least one medical device, and at least one data carrier secured to the at least one medical device, the data carrier including an enlarged substantially planar surface. The storage system further includes a storage device having one or more cavities adapted to receive the medical device and data carrier, each cavity including a cut-out positioned at least partially beneath the enlarged substantially planar surface that allows at least a portion of the enlarged substantially planar surface to pass at least partially there-through.

Claims

1. A medical device storage system comprising:

at least one medical device;

at least one data carrier comprising a proximal end and a distal end including a distal portion, the data carrier including an enlarged substantially planar portion at the proximal end and a wall defining an opening, the substantially planar portion comprising opposite top and bottom surfaces that are connected by a side surface of the substantially planar portion, the substantially planar portion comprising a first lobe and a second lobe that are connected to each other at the distal portion, planar end surfaces of the first and second lobes engage one another, the at least one medical device being disposed in the opening such that the wall and the distal portion define an enclosure that extends completely around a proximal portion of the at least one medical device;

a storage device comprising one or more cavities, the medical device being received in one of the cavities, the storage device including a ledge and an inner surface defining a cut-out extending through opposite top and bottom surfaces of the storage device, the data carrier being received in the cut-out such that the side surface engages the inner surface,

wherein pushing one side of the data carrier through the cutout causes the data carrier to pivot against the ledge such that an opposite side of the data carrier rises up to allow the data carrier to be released from the storage device.

2. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second lobes are brought together to provide a tamper evident locking mechanism.

3. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 2, wherein removal of the medical device from the data carrier, after the medical device is secured to the data carrier by the mating engagement of first and second lobes requires breaking the first lobe from the second lobe.

4. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more cavities comprises a ledge that enables the medical device and data carrier to pivot on the ledge as the enlarged substantially planar portion is pressed into the cut-out.

5. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavity is larger than the medical device positioned within the cavity, thereby providing a space that allows the medical device to move slightly during insertion and removal from the storage device.

6. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavity includes at least one upper ledge that extends at least partially over the enlarged substantially planar portion.

7. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one upper ledge forms a space between the upper ledge and the top surface of the enlarged substantially planar portion.

8. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a retaining sleeve positioned within the space, wherein the retaining sleeve at least partially covers the enlarged substantially planar portion.

9. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the retaining sleeve is transparent.

10. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of a surgical screw, a spinal plate, an orthopedic plate, a surgical rod, an interbody spinal device, a vertebral disc arthroplasty device, a nucleus replacement device, a corpectomy device, a vertebrectomy device, a mesh device, a facet fixation or arthroplasty device, a structural bone graft, a staple, a tether of synthetic material or wire, an intramedullary nail, an external fixation device, a hip prosthesis, a knee prosthesis, and mixtures thereof.

11. The medical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enlarged substantially planar portion includes indicia that represent markings or tracking devices capable of retaining identifying information relevant to the medical device.

12. The medical device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the indicia comprises an RFID tracking device.

13. The medical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data carrier comprises a tamper evident locking mechanism.

14. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal portion defines a second opening that is separated from the opening by a gap.

15. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data carrier is monolithic.

16. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data carrier comprises a polyphenylsulfone resin.

17. The medical device storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal portion defines a void being in communication with the opening.